Western Oregon Journal

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This spring, a unique shirt has made its way into Monmouth and the Western campus. This shirt has traveled through 43 states, and was sold at Portland State University last fall. The shirt is made by the non-profit organization Fine By Me Inc., and is titled "Gay? Fine By Me."

The shirts are being sold through ASWOU for $8. They come in a variety of colors ranging from green, red, purple, black and dark and light blue. The purpose of the project according to ASWOU.org is to give students and staff a simple but effective way to condemn homophobia publicly.

The "Gay? Fine By Me." t-shirt originated at Duke University in the spring of 2003. According to FineByMe.org, the shirt was created to dispel homophobia at the Duke campus. Ten students, both gay and heterosexual, thought of the idea.

The shirt was an immediate hit as 2,000 of them were sold in a manner of days according to former Duke President Nan Keohane. Since this day, 20,000 shirts have been sold nationwide, to over 100 other schools, churches and communities.

One of the shirts' co-founders, Lucas Schaefer, who is also the organizations chief executive and president, said the shirts help people condemn homophobia in a quiet manner.

"We're just giving people a way to say what they want to say, he said. The message is not overly bold. The act of wearing the shirt is very bold," Schaefer said.

Here at Monmouth, the project started out quietly according to Diversity Coordinator Jason Shaw.

"I sent an email to students and staff and put the shirts on ASWOU.org. Nothing else was done. Most of the feedback I received was positive, so I felt now was the time, rather than earlier on in the year when I didn't have the resources," Shaw said.

Western students and staff have a lukewarm response to the shirt. Student Spencer Hobbs feels it is okay to be accepting.

"I have Christian views and politically am a democrat, so I feel we should respect everyone the way they are," he said.

Student Karen Bristol believes the shirt is okay just as long as people don't push it onto others.

"I suppose if they want to wear a shirt that says that, then it is fine. I don't support the lifestyle, but if they want the shirt then it is okay," she said.

Students like Kaycee Young and Morgan McMann feel the shirt shouldn't be made into a big deal.

"I don't really care what they do," Young said. "I know that I don't want a shirt like that, though."

McMann echoed this sentiment and added, "I don't want to spend my money on something like that."

Students like Candace Weston do not want anything to do with the shirt.

"I don't think they (ASWOU) should do that," she said. "I think people should keep their sexuality to themselves; it's not for everyone else to see."

Frank Nevius, a Western Speech Communications professor, is surprised at the timing of the shirt.

"We live in a progressive society, so it is interesting that they [ASWOU] choose to sell the shirt now," he said. "When are they going to have shirts for white people that say we are white and that is okay for me?"

Sociology professor, Peter Callero, feels the shirts are a very effective public statement of solidarity.

"In a small way it helps chip away at the wall of exclusion and prejudice that still separates gay and straight people in our society," Callero said. "A small group of college students can make a difference in moving us toward greater equality and justice in our communities."

Speech communications professor, Molly Mayhead, thinks the shirts are great.

"The slogan is catchy and conveys an important message," Mayhead said.

Shaw feels that not all students on the Western campus feel like they belong and this shirt will help curtail the problem.

"It is okay for students to be different," Shaw said. "I think this shirt is important because it is not just for gays and lesbians, but for all people. The allies [people that don't follow homosexual ideas but support the group] and the heterosexuals can buy this shirt and feel good about it."

Schaefer hopes the shirts will not be around for a long time. He imagines the day when the shirt will be only an antique.

"In an ideal world, we wouldn't need these shirts," he said.

The NewsObserver contributed to this story

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